


Is Converting Files to Byte Arrays the Optimal Solution for Database Storage?
Convert file to byte array: best solution for database storage?
Question
To store files into a database or disk, consider the most efficient and reliable method. One way is to convert the file to a byte array before saving it. This article explores whether converting files to byte arrays is the best strategy for storing any file format.
Explanation
The suitability of converting a file to a byte array for database storage depends on the specific database used. For example, in SQL Server, creating tables using VARBINARY(MAX)
columns allows efficient storage of byte arrays.
The following C# code demonstrates how to store a file from a drive into a database:
public static void databaseFilePut(string varFilePath) { byte[] file; using (var stream = new FileStream(varFilePath, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read)) { using (var reader = new BinaryReader(stream)) { file = reader.ReadBytes((int)stream.Length); } } using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails)) using(var sqlWrite = new SqlCommand("INSERT INTO Raporty (RaportPlik) Values(@File)", varConnection)) { sqlWrite.Parameters.Add("@File", SqlDbType.VarBinary, file.Length).Value = file; sqlWrite.ExecuteNonQuery(); } }
To retrieve a file and save it to your drive:
public static void databaseFileRead(string varID, string varPathToNewLocation) { using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails)) using(var sqlQuery = new SqlCommand(@"SELECT [RaportPlik] FROM [dbo].[Raporty] WHERE [RaportID] = @varID", varConnection)) { sqlQuery.Parameters.AddWithValue("@varID", varID); using (var sqlQueryResult = sqlQuery.ExecuteReader()) if(sqlQueryResult != null) { sqlQueryResult.Read(); var blob = new Byte[(sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, null, 0, int.MaxValue))]; sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, blob, 0, blob.Length); using (var fs = new FileStream(varPathToNewLocation, FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write)) fs.Write(blob, 0, blob.Length); } } }
This method allows the file to be retrieved as a memory stream:
public static MemoryStream databaseFileRead(string varID) { MemoryStream memoryStream = new MemoryStream(); using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails)) using(var sqlQuery = new SqlCommand(@"SELECT [RaportPlik] FROM [dbo].[Raporty] WHERE [RaportID] = @varID", varConnection)) { sqlQuery.Parameters.AddWithValue("@varID", varID); using (var sqlQueryResult = sqlQuery.ExecuteReader()) if (sqlQueryResult != null) { sqlQueryResult.Read(); var blob = new Byte[(sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, null, 0, int.MaxValue))]; sqlQueryResult.GetBytes(0, 0, blob, 0, blob.Length); memoryStream.Write(blob, 0, blob.Length); } } return memoryStream; }
Finally, insert the memory stream into the database:
public static int databaseFilePut(MemoryStream fileToPut) { int varID = 0; byte[] file = fileToPut.ToArray(); const string preparedCommand = @" INSERT INTO [dbo].[Raporty] ([RaportPlik]) VALUES (@File) SELECT [RaportID] FROM [dbo].[Raporty] WHERE [RaportID] = SCOPE_IDENTITY() "; using (var varConnection = Locale.sqlConnectOneTime(Locale.sqlDataConnectionDetails)) using (var sqlWrite = new SqlCommand(preparedCommand, varConnection)) { sqlWrite.Parameters.Add("@File", SqlDbType.VarBinary, file.Length).Value = file; using (var sqlWriteQuery = sqlWrite.ExecuteReader()) while (sqlWriteQuery != null && sqlWriteQuery.Read()) { varID = sqlWriteQuery["RaportID"] is int ? (int)sqlWriteQuery["RaportID"] : 0; } } return varID; }
Conclusion
Converting a file to a byte array can be an efficient way to store files of any format in a database or on disk by using appropriate VARBINARY(MAX)
columns in SQL Server. The provided code examples provide a comprehensive implementation for reading and writing binary files in the database, ensuring reliable persistence and retrieval of files.
The above is the detailed content of Is Converting Files to Byte Arrays the Optimal Solution for Database Storage?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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